PARK-VTPR on RC Groups

A new thread on RC Groups is underway exploring this new VTPR Aerobatics style, and new efforts in glider development for the style. The thread is focused on transitioning VTPR from the traditional French style slope version, to a still-air version on the plain. A short introduction is posted in our pages section to get you up to speed. Join in and check out the RCG thread as this new and exciting next step in VTPR Aerobatics unfolds into 2019.

June 24, 2020:

The PARK-VTPR style has been officially accomplished! Go to RCG thread here to see it happen.

As LOW as you can go on the flat!

Who's the BEST in the World?

"And the best VTPR pilot in the World is..."

C'mon, everyone has a favorite. With any sport, to say who is the best is always subject to opinion unless hard performance numbers of record are presented. Therefore since there are no hard numbers in VTPR aerobatics yet, I take liberty to share my opinion. You may or may not agree, that's alright. The sport of VTPR is subject to many factors, primarily the glider model selected, pilot skills, the geography of the slope where it is flown, and too many more to list here. Those presented here are in my opinion the current top 6 pilots on the planet. And I am sure there are more I am not aware of. They are shown not necessarily in the order of ranking. My number #1 pilot is here but I leave you to guess who he is. Who is your #1 VTPR pilot?

Item of note. All the pilots in this line up are flying composite (no foamies) 2.5 meter wingspan class or more. There are many great pilots that fly 2 meter or less models, but the 2.5 is what the French designate as the "sweet spot" size that can perform "all manner" of VTPR. And who would know better than our French friends who invented VTPR? This writer concurs with them...

Eric Poulain - France

Master Poulain is by far the smoothest VTPR pilot in my opinion. He enjoys painting the sky with his trusty Excalibur 2.0 as if he is Rembrandt! He never appears hurried or tense. He controls the glider aware of every nuance of weather changes while maintaining beautiful lines and figures. Video courtesy SlopeAerobatics.com.

Guillaume Leroyer - France

Guillaume (William) Leroyer is pure amazing! He has many club aerobatic championships under his belt. He also fly's many different types of model airplanes. He is especially excellent with powered 3-D flying. But in glider VTPR you will notice a distinct flying style than the others. He is for the most part flying low all the time. The only period you see him get a little elevation is to gain speed downward into VTPR mode. He manages the air and the glider gloriously! His maneuvers are a bit racy and cleaner than the others. He is an exciting pilot to watch. Video courtesy Michel Leroyer.

Remi Le Besque - France

Remi Le Besque is a fantastic pilot. On the flat he fly's through the most dangerous low maneuvers that can possibly be performed with a glider, and he does it beautifully crisp and clean. There is no fear of crashing the glider as Remi is so confident and knows his glider so well, he makes it look easy. Certainly it is easy for Remi.

Ronan Calloch - France

The glider is Limande. It's designer and pilot is Ronan. The first thing you will notice is the glider is very predictable with virtually no bad habits. Its completely neutral and has a limited top speed range. This sounds counter to good flying models but in the case of VTPR, its exactly what you want. Ronan is a fantastic pilot as you can obviously see here. He explores all manner of VTPR in a daring, exciting and very smooth way. Definitively a world class flyer and designer in the sport today. Video courtesy Ronan Caloch.

Cody Remington - USA

Cody is one of America's top pilots winning the 2009 World Youth F3J championship. He was coached by Skip Miller. Here is a video of Cody tearing the sky up VTPR style with his Espada glass ship in 20 plus MPH winds. His energetic and confident style captures his youthful approach to flying. He's not a VTPR pilot per say, but I think we can see he can fill a world class role with no problem. Being the only American on this list, in my opinion Cody qualifies as the US ambassador. Video courtesy Wakuman on RCG.

Joel Metz - France

Joel is such a smooth and confident pilot as well as a great videographer. He can surprise you with some nice beautiful and predictable figures, then all of a sudden will negotiate some technically dangerous figures without batting an eye. He makes it look so easy... One of the best there is. Video courtesy Joel Metz.

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The VTPR Channel

 Check out the VTPR Channel on RC Groups for up to date videos, photos and model builds.

Copy and paste or click link:

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1412960-The-VTPR-Channel

FLYER 2.5m at home!

Club Flying at Menez-Hom

The text basically says "Club Flight from Menez-Hom Slope, Sunday, 1st April, 2018. The video quality is great, the location is epic and the flying is amazing. Click on image to watch the video. Be sure to let it load up.

Original FUN VTPR

 Video courtesy ironman 29

VTPR in its beginning some 35 years ago as far as we know in France, began as a fun day of flying doing tricky games with gliders. It wasn't about precision aerobatic maneuver flying, or flying the highest or the fastest. It was centered around a group of guys letting it all hang out low to the ground performing fun yet dangerous moves to the glider. And it came to be known that a 2.5 meter glider hits the sweet spot for performing this fun and dangerous style while still looking majestic and smooth in the air.

What we have here is a session at Menez-Hom where the guys are competing for fun around a water bottle for prizes. Enjoy this rare glimpse into original French VTPR... EJ

Flyer Light VTPR

 Video by JUJUB479

If you want to see what low & slow looks like, this is the example for you would be pilots and spectators alike to enjoy. The glider is a 2.5 meter Flyer, a privately designed purpose built VTPR ship. Take special notice at when the pilot deliberately dives and drives the glider back up, the inertia increases very quickly readying it for the next aerobatic figure. This is due to the gliders very clean design (minimal parasitic drag) and efficient wing airfoil. Another element of being able to fly low to the ground for long distances cleanly is the geography and shape of the slope. And the constant and predictable wind volume. This is a perfect flying site and glider for so much fun...

Beach Ballet VTPR

Video courtesy JUJUB479

Here we have an Excalibur 2.5m and a Pentix 2.0m doing some VTPR flying at the beach. Lift is very light though it is smooth and predictable. What a fun afternoon at the beach ballet.

If I Had a Dream

France is the motherland and beginning of VTPR Glider Aerobatics. And it just so happens that, very fine wine grapes have been a part of the French landscape going back centuries to the Roman Empire. And one particular appellation in France that is probably the center of the fine wine universe is the region of Burgundy. The finest Pino Noir is produced here as in this photo. In one certain vineyard of only 2.5 acres, each grape can be valued as high as $5.00 each - $10,000 a bottle of 2015 vintage!

In addition to motocross bikes and RC gliders, I have an interest in fine wine "tasting" as a hobby sommelier. Not drinking but rather studying the viticulture and science behind just why each vineyard around the globe has distinct tastes and aromas. All of this is very technical but what it comes down to is, enjoyment among special friends. This photo I modified to encapsulate the finest of these two worlds. Burgundy vineyards and the dream of me VTPR'ing my Sonic 2.5m over them. It just doesn't get any better than that, In My Dream...

VTPR Youth Movement

 Video courtesy CruchotsTeam

The young teen Cyril N., performing incredibly smooth and clean VTPR figures with very light wind conditions. Location, Bretagne French coast. We need youth in our sport for future growth and excitement, and Cyril is proving to his friends and the world what can be accomplished. He is a Pro before 20! AAA+ Cyril...

Elegent VTPR

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 Video by Chiloschista Productions

Joël Metz flying his Air-100 at Menez Hom, Bretagne, France. Very elegant VTPR with a 370cm, 5100g Air-100 glider.

VTPR means FUN

  

Video courtesy PLP35

This video captures the essence of VTPR flying - FUN. And of course the French are the best at it.
((( Pilots - Eric Poulain, Remi Le Besque, Alain Courtillon, Joel Metz & Pierre-Louis Poedras )))

EXCALIBUR'S in Tandem

Video courtesy Didier Hamon

Probably the most beautiful and tight RC glider pair's flying ever recorded!